"I Wear Black On The Outside · Because Black Is How I Feel On The Inside"

I was at Madison in Malibu earlier today, and just to be clear, I love summer so much and I know I shouldn't be thinking of fall but I can't help myself... I basically drooled when I saw these Chloe Mercy Boots (this picture does them NO justice)that I had to be escorted out of the store by my boyfriend because my gushing was embarrassing him. OH and did I mention?...my birthday is coming up ;)

Sweet Dreams Are Made Of These Who Am I To Disagree?

I have been working with Dave Stewart for a while now and he is seriously the most sweet and genuine person I have ever met. He is so respected and trusted in the music industry, and he deserves all the recognition in the world.

I recently did the grooming for Dave for the July cover of Billboard Magazine shot by Collin Stark. You can read the interview here, or better yet, go pick up a copy!

I'm Only Here To Bring You Free Love

Anyone who knows me well knows how much I love Depeche Mode. Well, my boys are on tour and I just got my tickets in the mail to see them at the Hollywood Bowl in Los angeles on Aug 17. I am so excited, it going to be Epic! I have seen many many bands in concert and Depeche Mode blows them all out of the water, hands down best concert I have ever been to.

You can now follow them on Twitter, Dave Gahan injured his leg last week so please tweet #GetWellDaveGahan to wish him a fast recovery so we can watch him shake it on stage, he is so fine I want to make him mine...

Cleanliness Is Next To Godliness

Keeping your make-up brushes clean is the most important step in your makeup application, regardless of whether you are a professional makeup artist or not. Not only can makeup and makeup tools (sponges, brushes, etc..) harbor dangerous bacteria than not only can be bad for your skin ( clogged pores, breakouts, rashes, etc.) but bad for your health ( colds, flu, recurring cold sores, etc.) So clean your brushes regularly! If you take good care of your brushes they will last longer, and will improve the application of your make up!

What I do is clean them after each use with brush cleaner, and I also shampoo and condition them at least once if not twice a week. I highly recommend Cinema Secrets brush

cleaner. It is antifungal, anti bacterial, cleans all the make up off your brush in ONE dip, smells good, and dries fast within minutes so you don't have to wait to use your brushes again.

Bare Naked Lady

One of the questions a lot of clients always ask me is what I think of Bare Essentials or Bare Minerals. I have used almost all of their products, as they were kind enough to send me a bunch of stuff a few year back, and I love them for that. So to be completely honest.. I love their bronzers and highlighters, faux tan especially, but thats about it!

I believe in the over all idea of the product, being made from minerals, good for the skin, light weight, etc. But this is my problem with it, 1. It is way to reflective for television or film and 2.(which really should be the #1 reason) The undertone of the all the foundations are wayyyy to pink, so for us girls with olive undertones it makes you look like a rosy marshmallow. Another thing is also the powder element doesn't work well on mature skin or people with acne scars, it will only accentuate the problem. but if you are a young fair skinned girl with flawless skin..then this might just be for you! Although I would say to you perfect skinned girls to use a tinted moisturizer instead ;)

Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger

Does anyone else swear by this stuff? In this industry as a makeup artist, when your hands are all up in peoples faces, I think it is so important to always have your nails looking clean and healthy! I used to have the worst nails...I'm talking weak, chipped, brittle, and I would always get those annoying double nails. Not anymore... I swear by this stuff, I can't have a manicure without it. It is the best nail strengthener I have ever used...it keeps my nails strong, healthy looking, aaand it makes those babies grow so fast!

I've Never Chased a Brighter Sun

I am all about sexy dewy skin, I love skin that looks tan, healthy and radiant. Like you just came back from a tropical exotic beach somewhere dripping of coconut oil...

Eva Mendes kind of always looks like that, but for the rest of us, we have NARS Body Glow I, II with Monoi Tahiti Oil. It looks and feels amazing on the skin. The original Body Glow gives you sheer chocolate color with just a bit of sparkle, where as Body Glow II is pure oil-no color. They both give you soft, supple and glowing skin without the greasy feeling of baby oil, AND they both smell exactly like that tropical exotic beach I was just talking about...

(p.s. This Calvin Klein ad with Eva Mendes was shot recently by one of my favorite photographers, Steven Klein )

Eyeliner and Cigarettes

Here is peek at Lady Gaga for the upcoming issue of Vmagazine. Although I am not a huge fan of her music (although I do like it) I absolutely love Lady Gaga, in this world of cookie-cutter pop stars, Lady Gaga is like fresh air, she is totally original in her style and a natural talent-she never lip-synchs and writes all of her own music. I don't know if you have ever seen her in interviews but the way she expresses herself... she is really an inspiration to me. She is always so positive and passionate when she talks about her work, she is also so polite and down to earth. I really like her, and to top it off she is totally loyal to her glam squad that have been with her since before her recent fame, which I think is so sweet. Plus, It takes a real artist to wear an orbit on your head and go topless..

Bemba Colorada

My sister introduced this lip balm to me the other day, and let me tell you, this is some good stuff! I know it has been out for a couple years, but I am not too familiar with Tarte Cosmetics other than their cheek stains which I am not too fond of ( I like the way they look but I personally don't like how greasy they feel on my skin). Tarte definitely deserves praise for there efforts in being green in there production and packaging, and for all of the natural ingredients they use in there products. There use of high quality ingredients really pays off, this lip balm feels like buttah on your lips, and your lips will stay conditioned loong after you apply. It gives you a sheer tint of color, and makes your lips kissably soft... I seriously could eat it, its that good ;)

Capture The Glow

I finally did it! I made the very big investment and finally switched from RCMA foundation (which, for me, was much to heavy and dry but it was great as far as matching skin tones and good for TV and Film) to Armani Luminous Silk Foundation. Can I just say..it has changed my life and the way I do make-up. It really is the best foundation in the world. It is weightless, skin tones match perfectly, skin still luminates, and it feels, well, like silk!

My only issue, is the packaging. All the bottles are made of glass, and with all the traveling and lugging I do, its just a matter of time before they break. So, I contacted make-up artist Amy Chance (amazing makeup artist) who also uses Armani Foundation, to ask her what she does. She emailed me right away and was more than willing to help, she said that she keeps it in the original paper packaging and then uses these clear bags to keep them from moving around in her kit. I'm trying that now, I'll let you know how it goes ;)

Multiplicity

I know I am a little late in the game, but I just started using this in my kit and on my face and WOW, I am loving it. The Multiple by NARS is an all over color for your face, can be used on the eyes cheeks and lips, for a natural dewy look and just a hint of color.

I took one of my clients, Crystal Audigier, make up shopping ..and I had her buy NARS the multiple in south beach..and a few weeks later she texts me that if she was on a deserted island and could only take one thing, it would be the multiple...pretty bold statement!

I Remember The Time, When We Fell In Love...

It has been exactly one week since the King of Pop has passed away, and the entire world is still feeling the impact. There will never be anyone else like him, he was not only the biggest artist in the entire world and an inspiration to so many artists after him but also a beautiful person with a generous heart. He will forever be missed and forever be remembered. Here is a video of the only time I saw him in person...I was already leaving the party when Christian announced Michael Jackson, and let me tell you, Michael is one of two artists/celebs in the whole world that I would run back in stilettos for...

Sponge Bob Oval Pants

I saw these a few years back, before they ever officially went on the market, and I was intrigued, but not enough to buy one...I had been a little hesitant to buy it because I felt like they were a little pricey, and honestly, I liked my square sponges...Until I actually tried one of these bad boys. I was on a shoot a few weeks ago and I had the honor of working with Celebrity Make-up Artist Kathy Jeung, who by the way is one of the coolest and friendliest people I have met, and she loves these sponges for there blending ability, they are more "green" for the environment because they are reusable, and she says clients call them the "pink hug" because it feels amazing on the skin! She was so sweet to give me one to try, and let me tell you I am HOOKED, it is everything they say and more, plus as a professional turns out they are more cost effective than disposable sponges. Go out and get one, and if you are a professional make up artist they now have a pro-pack.

She Wolf

Shakira is Baaack!! I am digging the new sound, it is still very strong lyrically and just a little more dance...click here to listen to her new single "Loba". The new album drops july 14 '09. I cant wait, she is pure musical genius, and a natural beauty to boot. Follow her on twitterrrr